Hey, so this is my experience with OCD.It started in the 6th grade I began developing this "ritual" that I had to do every night before bed. It consisted of turning to a certain page of this book and reading a line, then doing the same with another book and then a magazine. Then I had to check the clock to make sure I did it in the "approved" amount of time. Then I had to think certain things almost a reflection of the day. The ritual grew into a 15 minute routine eventually and made it hard for me to even want to go to sleep. By now I have actually trained myself to stop doing this routine thought it continued into the beginning of 7th grade. In 6th grade I also started something that I still do; when something bad is mentioned or I have a bad thought I had to do another shorter ritual. This gets in the way in every day life and is embarrassing.
I didn't realize I had OCD until the end of 7th grade and didn't do anything about my symptoms until last year, 9th grade. We learned about OCD in health and I finally confessed in a friend. I have tried telling my family about my symptoms and they take it as a joke. They think I'm kidding or are over-exaggerating. I'm not. I haven't been able to get help because of this.
My symptoms are:
-ritual after bad thought/ seeing/hearing( one of the hardest symptoms)
-not allowing myself to go in bathroom at 11:35pm because of fear that things will come to shower. Not allowed to know when it's that time.
-Most things have to be done in numbers: looking at something (random things sometimes), tapping things, reading things, seeing things
-fear of head lice. my sister got it 4 times this year and i breakdown.
-when reading a book I have rituals that make the process elongated such as blinking eyes re-reading sentences, counting sentences, doing my "bad" things ritual.
-I tell myself I have to do something before something else happens (ex. a time) or bad things could happen.
-sometimes i get certain images in my brain and they won't leave and its hard.
– when i look at the clock and add the numbers up, if its a bad number i have to do ritual.
theres more I just cant think of all at the time. anyway, if anyone has advice or just support on telling/getting your family to believe you and how to cope with it. im just having a hard time right now and need some support. thanks!
I feel for you. You need to find an adult you can trust to help you speak to your parents. This will only get worse. I am 31 and just found out I have OCD. I knew something was wrong but I always thought I was just more sensitive or cared more than most people. At age 10 I was obsessed with my mom dying. I used to calculate how much longer I was going to have with her. I had nightmares about her dying all of the time. Then I became obsessed with my on mortality. Thinking that I had diseases that at my age were unlikely. Even after going to the doctors for tests I didn't believe them thinking maybe they just made a mistake so then I would go to another doctor. You need to get help now. I am so proud that you were able to realize you have a problem. I think if the internet was bigger when I was younger I may have realized this about myself sooner. The sooner you get help the sooner you will get better. Do let OCD steal your teenage and early adult years like I did. Best of luck to you! 🙂
I do/did a lot of those rituals too. Rereading sentences, doing a "good" ritual to counteract a "bad" thought, having to do something before something else happens. If your family won't take it seriously, you could try calling your regular doctor, or talk to a school counselor. Here's a book for parents to read about having kids with ocd. Maybe you can convince your parents to read it. It's called
Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Powerful, Practical Program for Parents of Children and Adolescents
Good luck!
ocdinohio I agree with you totally! I am also 31 and if I think of all the years ocd has robbed me of I want to puke! Theatregeek – well done for wanting to take action, get some help quickly – the earlier the better. As the others say, another adult, dr, anyone you can trust. ocd is treatable. I wish you all the best and know that you will be able to start enjoying your teenage years very soon! ***hugs***
Thank you everyone, i really appreciate all the support. It helps so much.